Twitter

Europe must reset the framework for its cooperation with Africa

Africa and Europe have long-standing relations, based in particular on a series of agreements between the European Union (EU) and the group of 79 ACP countries (Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean, Pacific). The Cotonou Agreement, signed in 2000 for 20 years, kept the structure of its predecessors, from a time when Europe was negotiating with its former African colonies. It rests on three pillars: development cooperation, trade relations and political dialogue. It is urgent to realise that the context of cooperation has changed radically and that our partnership with Africa is out of date. Even more importantly, we need to wake up to what Africans expect from us. Today’s world is multipolar, Europe must find its place between the aggressive overseas actions of the United States, and the emergence of global expansion strategies from developing countries, above all the Chinese Silk Road. These actors carry new visions of cooperation that render obsolete our analysis of North-South cooperation.